Yo-yo having radially anchored cushions

Abstract

A yo-yo comprising right and left bodies surrounded by thick, radially anchored, soft rubber outer cushions has a string gap having a contour that includes an innermost gap which is narrower than other regions of the string gap. The string gap may have a narrowed neck region located between the innermost gap and the outer diameter of the yo-yo. The yo-yo may include an axle which is permitted to rotate within the left body of the yo-yo but retained by a locknut seated in the right body of the yo-yo.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A yo-yo comprising left and right bodies joined by an axle, a string-gap between the bodies, and left and right elastomer cushions radially anchored to the respective outer perimeters of the left and right bodies. 
     
     
       2. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the elastomer cushions are of a durometer softer than Shore 65A. 
     
     
       3. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the elastomer cushions have a radial thickness of 0.2 inches or more. 
     
     
       4. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the elastomer cushions are of such soft durometer that radial anchors are essential to retain the cushions on the bodies to counter the centrifugal force encountered in use. 
     
     
       5. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein each of the bodies comprises an inner and an outer component, each component having a flange which protrudes into a respective groove on the respective inner and outer sides of said cushion in order to radially anchor the cushion to the body. 
     
     
       6. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the cushions are molded over said bodies to radially anchor the cushions to the bodies. 
     
     
       7. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the cushions are adhesively bonded to the bodies. 
     
     
       8. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein the bodies extend radially at the outer perimeter of their string-gap surfaces so as to deflect the string from contacting the elastomer cushions. 
     
     
       9. The yo-yo of claim 8 wherein the radially extended bodies and elastomer cushions are geometrically configured such that the string will not contact the elastomer cushions for any angle of lateral string deflection between plus and minus 55 degrees.